GORDON BROWN has laid out 10 ways in which Scotland could benefit from remaining part of the UK, including ditching the House of Lords.

GORDON BROWN believes the House of Lords should be axed and replaced with a US-style senate. The senate proposal is just one of 10 ways in which the former Prime Minister believes Scotland can move forward in the UK.

Gordon Brown's 10 ways to take Scotland forward while remaining part of the UK

1 Make the Scottish Parliament permanent and irreversible

The Scottish Parliament could, in theory, be dissolved by an Act of Parliament at Westminster. But Labour proposals enshrine the irreversible and indissoluble nature of the Scottish Parliament in UK law.

2 Make political, economic and social equality between the home nations the Union’s guiding mission.

The UK should enshrine in its constitution a statement of national purpose. At a minimum, we should state that: “The Union exists to provide security and opportunity for all, ensuring equality between the nations by pooling and sharing our resources equitably for our defence, security and the social and economic welfare of every citizen.”

3 New powers for the Scottish Parliament

to ensure fairness by protecting Scotland against any future attempt
to impose a poll tax or bedroom tax.
Labour’s plan gives the Parliament more powers in health, transport, housing, jobs, land and the organisation of elections. The proposals include powers over housing benefit, so London could never again impose a bedroom tax.

4 More economic power for the Scottish Parliament

We should devolve to the Scottish Parliament powers for employment and training to help people get into work, to sit alongside a Union which facilitates rather than impedes cross-border movement.

5 More environmental powers for the Scottish Parliament

We want to be part of a UK-wide energy and environmental policy. But Labour proposes all aspects of land reform are transferred to Holyrood. And we would be able to shape Scottish transport, preventing moves like rail privatisation.

6 More accountability, power and responsibility in tax affairs for Holyrood

The cost of pensions, welfare and health care should be pooled and shared, funded from UK taxes. Other services can be funded by devolved taxes. Under Labour’s proposals, the Scottish Parliament could decide whether to uphold the top rates of tax even if Britain decided to lower it.

7 Both Parliaments agree to work in the common interest

We should have a UK law supported by Holyrood which helps to ensure that we work together for common purposes. We would have a standing commission where our powers overlap on issues such as poverty, social security and housing.

8 Replace the House of Lords with a UK Senate so the nations and regions are better represented in Westminster

The new senate – elected by the people – would be responsible for bringing regions and nations together and finding a way to ensure that where one measure offends one part of the country, this is taken into account.

9 Keep the currency

and our role in interest rate decisions affecting our mortgages and businesses.
If we want to keep the pound, it is in Scots’ interests that we are represented in the UK, where the decisions that affect interest rates, inflation targets and money supply are made.

10 A shared British response to insecurity and inequality posed by globalisation

The British people should maximise opportunity across the UK through policies for employment and enterprise, including greater fairness in wealth and income distribution.